I woke up this morning to find my husband had left for work and the power was off. Power-outage in Khartoum is a regular thrice-daily occurance. Because all the ceiling fans and airconditioners were off, I could hear rain pelting down on the roof.
Sure enough, when I looked out of the window I saw that the street was a quagmire and there was hardly any sign of life outside. I've found that things get going much later in the morning. Africa only wakes at about 9h45 and slowly eases herself into the day. I phoned my husband and told him the power was off. He phoned the nightwatchman of our building (who I'm sure was NOT impressed at being awakened at 7h30) to start the generator. A few minutes later the power was restored and I began to prepare for my day.
At the moment my day consists of sleeping until 6h30 - 7h00 (Unheard of back home in South Africa where I was up at daybreak to see to my animals and to go to spinning and have my quiet time) I have a shower, dress and go off to the kitchen to make breakfast.
At the moment my day consists of sleeping until 6h30 - 7h00 (Unheard of back home in South Africa where I was up at daybreak to see to my animals and to go to spinning and have my quiet time) I have a shower, dress and go off to the kitchen to make breakfast. There is a large variety of fruit on display in the supermarket. It is very expensive so instead of buying a bag of apples and a pocket of oranges as I do in South Africa, i picked out three firm looking apples and two ripe oranges. My husband had already placed a punnet of grapes in the trolly, not looking at the price, but buying them because I love grapes.
Every morning I cut up half and orange, half and apple and then cut them into pieces in my cereal bowl. (I store the other halves on a side plate covered in plastic clingfilm. I add a few halved grapes and then top this fruit salad with a few spoons of yoghurt. I'm not sure whether the yoghurt here is fat-free but I recognise the container. It's the same yoghurt we had in Guinea. As far as I can recall, this was NOT a fat-free variety. Mmmm. To complete my health breakfast I add two tablespoons of cereal on top and decorate with more halved grapes. Viola!
My North African Health Breakfast
These scone which I got off Lynda's blog, are delicious and easy to make When my husband arrived home this afternoon, I had baked a batch of Lynda's scones. These are delicious and so easy to make. You can see her recipe here.
Hubby readily tucked into the scones, cheese and strawberry jam snack I placed in front of himAt the moment I'm cooking dinner in between writing my blog post. It has stopped raining and we have the door open to try and dry out the floor.
It certainly seems like a different lifestyle Jo.
ReplyDeleteWest African rain makes the world stop! Having grown up with it, nothing else can compare... :-D
ReplyDeleteWhat are you doing in Khartoum ? is that for a longer time ? I think I missed something, I thought you would go there on holidays or a business trip.
ReplyDeleteYour breakfast looks healthy and delicious, as do the scones.
ReplyDeleteDoes your roof leak? Is that why the floor is wet?
Hi Gaelyn, life is definitely very different here in North Africa since my "cossetted" lifestyle in South Africa. I'm loving it here although every day has its challenges.
ReplyDeleteEsther, you would know about rain. Apparently the rainy season is smaller here and almost over. Thanks for visiting.
Hi Gattina;) I've come to Khartoum to be with my husband. I have already booked my flight back here at the end of October. We go out on a three-week break in the first week of October. Thanks for visiting.
Hi Pat, yes, the breakfast is a healthy one and the scones were delicious. The heavy downpour of rain (not very usual or frequent, thank goodness) pours the water through the window panes (not very well sealed) and under the doors.
looks like a lovely healthy breakfast in Khartoum Jo! I know Irish Aid had a big dairy programme there years ago and it is probably where the yogurt originated, I knew someone working there then. This was government bilateral aid, not NGO development aid which is always a bit dodgy with NGOs having to tread a fine line between diplomacy and advocacy and yet avoid being thrown out as happened a few times. The flash floods are so typical of Africa they probably don't raise much interest, yet I love the rains.You seem to have settled in well, good luck!
ReplyDeleteCatherine.
Thanks Catherine, very interesting info on the dairy. It tastes very creamy and is a bit rich for me. Soon I'll know a few words in Arabic and be able to check on the products! Thanks for visiting. I love reading your comments on Lynda's blog as well. You sure know the expat life! (((Hugs)))
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